In a resolute statement, Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban, has categorically dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to “take back” Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The airbase, once a central hub for U.S. military operations in the region, was abandoned by American forces during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Trump’s suggestion to reclaim the strategically significant base has been met with fierce opposition from the Taliban, who view it as an affront to Afghan sovereignty.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Mujahid asserted, “Afghans will never allow their land to be handed over to anyone under any circumstances.” His remarks underscore the Taliban’s unwavering stance on maintaining control over Afghan territory, particularly sites like Bagram, which symbolize the country’s tumultuous history of foreign intervention. The airbase, located about 40 kilometers north of Kabul, was a cornerstone of U.S. and NATO operations for nearly two decades, housing tens of thousands of troops and serving as a key logistics and air operations hub during the war in Afghanistan.
Mujahid’s rejection of Trump’s proposal comes at a time when the Taliban is navigating complex domestic and international challenges. Four years after their rapid takeover of Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal, the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate remains largely unrecognized by the global community, with only Russia formally acknowledging their government. Despite this, Mujahid dismissed suggestions that the Taliban faces a “legitimacy problem.” He claimed that several countries have privately extended recognition to the Taliban’s leadership, even if they have not done so publicly. “It is not only Russia that has openly recognized the Islamic Emirate. There are several other countries that have extended recognition, though not publicly,” he told Sky News.
Diplomatic Overtures Amid Isolation
While the Taliban remains steadfast in rejecting foreign control over Afghan soil, Mujahid revealed that the group has engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the reopening of diplomatic missions. Specifically, the Taliban is keen to see the Afghan embassy in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. embassy in Kabul resume operations. “We have discussed this matter, and we wish to see the embassies reopened both in Kabul and in Washington,” Mujahid said. This development signals a potential willingness to engage diplomatically with the U.S., despite deep-seated mistrust stemming from decades of conflict.
The prospect of reopening embassies could mark a significant step toward normalizing relations between the Taliban and the international community. However, such a move would likely face significant hurdles, given the Taliban’s controversial policies, particularly their treatment of women and girls, which have drawn widespread condemnation. The U.S. has repeatedly emphasized that any formal recognition or cooperation with the Taliban would be contingent on improvements in human rights, governance, and counterterrorism efforts.
Restrictions on Women and Girls: A Global Flashpoint
One of the most contentious aspects of the Taliban’s rule has been their stringent restrictions on women and girls, which have significantly curtailed their access to education, employment, and public life. Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed sweeping measures that prohibit girls over the age of 12 from attending secondary school. Young women have also been barred from pursuing higher education, effectively shutting them out of universities and other institutions of learning.
When pressed on the issue of girls’ education, Mujahid was noncommittal, stating, “I cannot make any promises in this regard.” This ambiguity has fueled frustration among Afghans and the international community, who see education as a fundamental right and a critical driver of the country’s future development. The Taliban’s initial justification for closing schools to girls was that the closures were temporary and would be lifted once policies compliant with “Islamic law and Afghan culture” were established. However, four years later, there is still no clear timeline or plan to reopen secondary schools for girls or to allow women to resume higher education.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken unprecedented action against the Taliban’s leadership, issuing arrest warrants for two senior figures, including Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada. The ICC accuses them of committing crimes against humanity, specifically the persecution of women and girls through policies that systematically deny them basic rights. These warrants underscore the international community’s growing alarm over the Taliban’s gender-based policies, which have been described as “gender apartheid” by human rights organizations.
Mujahid, a close confidant of Akhundzada, deflected criticism of these policies, insisting that the Taliban’s decisions are guided by Islamic scholars who are working to find “appropriate solutions” in accordance with Sharia law. “We have qualified Islamic scholars who will deliberate on this matter and find an appropriate solution in accordance with Islamic Sharia,” he said. However, this response has done little to assuage concerns, as the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law has consistently prioritized restrictive measures over inclusivity.
Economic and Humanitarian Crisis
Afghanistan is grappling with a severe economic crisis, compounded by natural disasters and significant reductions in international aid. The country has faced repeated droughts, which have devastated agriculture and exacerbated food insecurity. According to UNICEF, 90% of children under five in Afghanistan are experiencing food poverty, and malnutrition rates have soared. Hospitals and clinics, particularly in rural areas like Badakhshan in northeastern Afghanistan, are overwhelmed with cases of malnourished children.
Mujahid attributed these challenges to “decades of conflict and two major invasions” that he said had “devastated Afghanistan’s infrastructure and economy.” While it is true that Afghanistan’s economy was heavily reliant on foreign aid during the 20 years of U.S. and NATO presence, the Taliban’s policies have further strained the country’s recovery. Women, who were once able to contribute to household incomes through employment, are now largely confined to their homes, unable to work in most sectors. This has had a direct impact on families’ ability to afford basic necessities, including food.
In Badakhshan, women at a clinic for malnourished children told Sky News that the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment have made it impossible for them to support their families. One mother lamented that she could no longer earn money to feed her children, placing the burden entirely on male relatives who are often unable to find work in the struggling economy. Mujahid dismissed these concerns, claiming that “men remain the primary providers” in the “vast majority of households.” This assertion has been met with skepticism, as economic data and firsthand accounts paint a dire picture of widespread poverty and desperation.
The Taliban’s ban on women training to become doctors or nurses has further strained Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The United Nations has condemned this policy as “profoundly discriminatory” and warned that it endangers the lives of women and girls by limiting access to female healthcare providers. Mujahid countered that Afghanistan already has “a sufficient number of female doctors,” but this claim is at odds with reports from healthcare facilities, which are struggling to meet the needs of the population amid a shortage of trained professionals.
Internet Shutdown and Censorship Allegations
In a recent development that sparked widespread concern, Afghanistan experienced a 48-hour internet blackout that disrupted daily life across the country. Banks were forced to close, airlines were unable to operate, and ordinary Afghans were cut off from online services and communication. The blackout, which occurred without prior warning, was particularly devastating for women and girls who rely on online platforms for education and communication, given the restrictions on their physical mobility.
Human rights activists have accused the Taliban of orchestrating the shutdown as a form of censorship, possibly to suppress dissent or limit access to information. One internet service provider in Afghanistan confirmed in a customer email that the blackout was ordered by the government, though Mujahid claimed ignorance of the cause. “We have not received any official communication from the ministry of telecommunications. Therefore, we are not in a position to comment on the matter,” he said.
This was not the first instance of internet restrictions under the Taliban. In recent months, the group has imposed localized internet bans in certain provinces, citing the need to “prevent immorality.” These measures have raised alarms about the Taliban’s broader intentions to control information and limit freedom of expression. For many Afghans, particularly women and girls studying online, these disruptions have further eroded their access to education and opportunities for self-improvement.
Taliban’s Narrative of Stability and Progress
Despite the mounting challenges, Mujahid painted an optimistic picture of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, claiming that the country has enjoyed “relative peace and stability under a unified government.” He pointed to improvements in security and “visible signs of economic recovery” as evidence of the Taliban’s success. Indeed, the cessation of large-scale conflict has brought a degree of calm to parts of the country, but this stability has come at a steep cost.
The Taliban’s vision of governance, rooted in a strict interpretation of Islamic law, has alienated much of the international community and significant portions of the Afghan population. Women, who make up roughly half of Afghanistan’s 40 million people, have been disproportionately affected by policies that exclude them from public life. The lack of access to education and employment has not only stifled individual aspirations but also hampered the country’s long-term development prospects.
Mujahid’s assertion of economic recovery is also at odds with reports from international organizations. The World Bank and other agencies have warned that Afghanistan’s economy remains in a state of collapse, with high unemployment, rampant inflation, and a severe lack of foreign investment. The reduction in international aid, which once accounted for a significant portion of Afghanistan’s GDP, has further strained the country’s ability to address its humanitarian crisis.
International Relations and Future Prospects
The Taliban’s leadership remains confident that their government is on the path to success, particularly through building relationships with other nations. Mujahid emphasized that the Taliban is actively engaging with regional powers and beyond to secure recognition and support. The group’s formal recognition by Russia is seen as a diplomatic victory, and Mujahid’s claim of private acknowledgments from other countries suggests that the Taliban is working to expand its international alliances.
However, the Taliban’s policies, particularly those affecting women and girls, remain a significant barrier to broader acceptance. Western nations, including the United States and European Union members, have made it clear that any normalization of relations would require tangible progress on human rights and governance. The ICC’s arrest warrants for Taliban leaders further complicate the group’s efforts to gain legitimacy on the global stage.
As Afghanistan approaches its fifth year under Taliban rule, the country stands at a crossroads. The Taliban’s rejection of Trump’s call to reclaim Bagram Air Base reflects their determination to assert sovereignty, but it also highlights their isolation from much of the world. The group’s willingness to discuss reopening embassies with the U.S. suggests a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, but without significant reforms, particularly in the treatment of women and girls, the Taliban is likely to remain a pariah state.
For ordinary Afghans, the challenges are immediate and profound. The combination of economic hardship, food insecurity, and restricted access to education and healthcare has created a humanitarian crisis that shows no signs of abating. While the Taliban touts its achievements in security and governance, the reality for many Afghans—particularly women and girls—is one of increasing marginalization and despair. The international community faces a delicate balancing act: engaging with the Taliban to address Afghanistan’s urgent needs while holding the group accountable for its human rights violations.
As the Taliban continues to navigate these challenges, the world watches closely, aware that the future of Afghanistan will have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security. For now, the Taliban’s rejection of foreign intervention and their cautious overtures toward diplomacy reflect a regime determined to chart its own course, even as it grapples with the consequences of its policies and the weight of international scrutiny.
